Windows 7 by download

[mmitch]

Has anyone tried buying Windows 7 from this site?
My netbook hasn't got a CD/DVD so this might be the solution and do it by USB stick?
https://www.sofway.co.uk/products/windows-7-home-premium-product-key-only-by-email?goog=dl7hpvat
Thanks for any useful advice.
mmitch.

[Booglebox]

You can download Win7, perfectly legally, from here (http://www.mydigitallife.info/official-windows-7-sp1-iso-from-digital-river/). Then all you need is a product key.

[mmitch]

Yes, I can see that both send the product key. So it might be worth giving it a try?
mmitch.

[mixture]

So it might be worth giving it a try?

No because you would be breaching license terms.

They should not be flogging OEM licenses to punters.

Not only does it breach OEM license terms BUT for an OEM license to be fully valid, it requires a Microsoft sticker to be affixed to hardware (or if you're a large player like Dell or HP, you can do fancy BIOS stuff).

Finally, just for the cherry on the cake, Microsoft don't even provide an "OEM keys by email" service to partners ... its either hard-copy or volume licensing via the VLSC portal for business customers.

I would say barge pole.... touch... do not.

From the horse's mouth:


Individual OEM System Builder Windows software licenses must be distributed with the following:
Certificate of Authenticity (COA) label
Hologram media
Documentation
Software License Terms

So that is the package that OEM System Builders receive from Microsoft distributors, and to make their installation fully legal, the OEM MUST affix the COA to the hardware they are building for the customer.

Also note they don't even provide their full address on their website, only "London" and their postcode !

[le Pingouin]

Unfortunately the Digital River links no longer work - MS pulled them recently.

[mmitch]

The company I mentioned in the OP has a full address on its website and appears to have been going since 2009. They also use the Microsoft and Windows logo. Strange.
mmitch.

[mixture]

Well I'm not going to comment any further.

You asked for advice, you got it.

If you still want to press ahead, then its your choice, your money, your legal position.

Good luck.

[Saab Dastard]

Windows 7 or 8.1 OEM System builder software is NOT permitted for use on self-build computers or for upgrading an existing OS, or as an additional OS or deploying onto a VM. A Full retail or appropriate retail upgrade version of the OS software must be purchased.

Bizarrely, Windows 8 OEM System builder software IS permitted for use on self-build computers or as an additional OS or deploying onto a VM, but NOT for upgrading an existing OS.

http://www.microsoft.com/oem/en/licensing/sblicensing/Pages/windows-licensing-for-personal-use.aspx

If MS are this messed up. it's no great surprise that there's confusion in the minds of the general public.

http://www.howtogeek.com/197232/microsoft-is-misleading-consumers-with-windows-8.1-system-builder-licensing/

SD

[mmitch]

Thanks for the advice All I wanted to do was install a legal copy of W7 on my netbook which doesn't have a CD/DVD. It means I need to buy an external unit to input W7 from a disc or pay a third party to install it. Both start to make the exercise more expensive.
mmitch

[le Pingouin]

If you have an ISO image you can create a bootable installation flash drive:

How To Setup a USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 7 (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/9585/how-to-setup-a-usb-flash-drive-to-install-windows-7/)

I take it your netbook has a Win7 sticker on it? Have you tried contacting the manufacturer? They might be willing to provide a disc for a price. What brand & model is it?

[mmitch]

My netbook is an Advent 4211 with XP. I was going to use it to remote control my DSLR camera which I already can from another with W7.
mmitch.

[le Pingouin]

Clearly contacting the manufacturer is of no use to you then!

If all you're going to use it for is as a remote control for your camera you could just leave it running WinXP and turn off networking, assuming the software will work with WInXP. Just don't be tempted to use it on-line.

[mixture]

mmitch,

I'm awfully confused....

Are you NOW saying that you have a Windows 7 DVD and a legal license. But the problem is that you laptop doesn't have a DVD drive ?

In which case, just stick the DVD into something that does and create an ISO image that you can then push onto a USB stick, external drive or whatever you have hanging around.

WinXP and turn off networking, assuming the software will work with WInXP. Just don't be tempted to use it on-line.

Indeed, if you absolutely must use XP, you must plan to never, ever use that machine online !

[mmitch]

I think I'll leave it for now, thanks.
mmitch.

[Bushfiva]

Hi mmitch, sorry you got put off. If and when you find a source that can sell you a genuine license, you can download the OS directly from Microsoft. The site below includes instructions on installing from a thumb drive. Expect to pay from around $85 for Home Premium to $110 for Ultimate, unused/unactivated full versions.

Microsoft Software Recovery (http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-recovery)

[Loose rivets]

Well, good luck if you own an Asus with the key embedded in the motherboard.


After some weeks of being a squeaky wheel, MS sent me 8.1 one-off deal for $45. Asus or Worst Buy wouldn't or couldn't help. Actually, Worst Buy would if I paid nearly as much as a new OS.


Many US computer shops sell OEM Windows with an assurance that it's all okay. Big name net sales do the same. I have to agree that reading their small print seems to prohibit it, though I'm not sure how the home build sales would survive if the OEM copies suddenly became unobtainable.

[Gsxr600]

If your Netbook originally came with XP it's likely going to be REALLY slow in Windows 7. I've tried updating mine and it's was unusable as it was so slow - Intel Atom based as most Netbooks are. Make sure you still have the XP disk in case you need to go back. Google Rufus which is a great tool for converting a windows installation cd into a bootable USB stick.